Display device for retail goods

ABSTRACT

There is provided a display device with an insert and an outer body. The insert preferably has a series of panels that are adapted to be folded and glued upon one another to form one or more chutes. The outer body preferably has a front panel, a rear panel, and a series of additional panels comprising a bottom panel, a foot panel, and a platform panel that are adapted to be folded upon themselves to collectively form a display base. The outer body may also have angled support legs or an angled bottom of the base that allow the body to lean back and support itself. In use, the insert can be inserted into the outer body and shipped in a flattened position. There is further provided a display base having a support grid, a face panel attached to the support grid, the face panel having one or more openings, one or more peg display hooks attached to the support grid through the one or more openings in the face panel, and one or more support legs. The display body may also have product pouches attached thereto. This embodiment allows product to be displayed on peg display hooks and/or on in the display pouches.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.60/639,894 titled “Display Device for Retail Goods” filed Dec. 29, 2004and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/662,478 titled “Display Devicefor Retail Goods” filed Mar. 15, 2005, the entire contents of each ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Retail product sales are driven by many factors. Product demand,quality, and pricing are some factors that contribute to retail productsales. Other factors may include product advertising and productlocation in the retail environment. As such, many product displaydevices are designed to take advantage of valuable retail spacelocation. At the same time, display devices may also be designed tocreatively utilize advertising space in order to include productgraphics, indicia, and trademarks.

Conventional product display devices may take many different forms. Someretail establishments require that displays meet particularspecifications in order to be used by that establishment. In someinstances, retail establishments are concerned with storage spacerequired for display devices when not in use. Retail establishmentsoften desire that display devices be easy to set up, requiring minimaltime and effort from its employees. Another issue with these devicesrelates to the disposal of displays after use. Retail establishments mayprefer environmentally friendly displays in order to minimize issueswith respect to disposal.

Some of the popular display products being used have dispensing chutesthat compartmentalize product and allow a consumer to remove one productwhile another product will slide down into its place. Some of thecurrently available displays are difficult to assemble because theyrequire two or more body pieces to form the outer shell, as well asserpentine-style inserts. This means that rather than being shipped inan easy to assemble position, the person preparing the display actuallyhas to fold the paperboard insert back and forth to form the chutes. Asexample of such a system is shown in FIG. 12. This system also has twoseparate body parts to form the housing, which adds to assembly time andmanufacturing costs.

It is thus desirable to provide a display unit that is easy to ship,easy to set up, and provides efficient delivery of product to theend-consumer. It is further desirable to provide display units thatfeature graphics, while also providing the additional display space onthe unit, if needed. It is further desirable to provide a display unitthat features chutes or other avenues by which products can bedispensed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, there is provided a display device with an insert andan outer body. The insert preferably has a series of panels that areadapted to be folded and glued upon one another to form one or morechutes. The outer body preferably has a front panel, a rear panel, and aseries of additional panels comprising a bottom panel, a foot panel, anda platform panel that are adapted to be folded upon themselves tocollectively form a display base. The outer body may also have angledsupport legs or an angled bottom of the base that allow the display tolean back and support itself. In use, the insert can be inserted intothe outer body and shipped in a flattened position.

In a further embodiment, there is provided a display base having asupport grid, a face panel attached to the support grid, the face panelhaving one or more openings, one or more peg display hooks attached tothe support grid through the one or more openings in the face pane, andsupport legs. The display body may also have product pouches attachedthereto. This embodiment allows product to be displayed on peg displayhooks and/or displayed in product display pouches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to certainembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a blank of a body unit according to certainembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective views showing how the body of FIG. 2 may befolded.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a blank of an insert according to certainembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows one way that the insert of FIG. 4 may be folded.

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of an alternate blank of an insertaccording to certain embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an elastic member for use in connection with sidesof the body of FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 7A shows the side in a closed/storageposition and FIG. 7B shows side in an open position.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a grid according to certain embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a blank of a face panel according tocertain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows one way that the face panel of FIG. 9 may have peg displayhooks and product pouches attached thereto.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a blank of support legs according tocertain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one design that the present inventionis intended to improve upon.

DESCRIPTION

According to certain embodiments, the invention provides a retailproduct display for use with consumer goods products in a retailestablishment. One embodiment of the display is a gravity feed typedisplay, preferably formed from paperboard or other suitable lightweightmaterial. Another embodiment is a pegged display that provides aplatform for materials to be displayed and/or hung from pegs or hooks.It should be understood that the display body or other parts may be madefrom corrugated, fiberboard, chip board, or any other material asdesired.

FIG. 1 shows a gravity feed display device 10 according to oneembodiment of the invention. It preferably comprises an outer body 100and one or more inserts 12. Outer body 100 is folded in such a way thatit provides a base 54 on which product may rest as it is insertedthrough chutes 56. The top of device 10 may feature an opening 44 thatmay be secured or open at the top. It should be understood that aseparate lid may be provided, if desired. In some embodiments, opening44 provides an area for product to be inserted into device 10. Accordingto particular embodiments, the device 10 may comprises three separatepieces, one outer body and two inserts 12, depending upon the length ofthe device 10 and the uses for which it is intended. It should beunderstood, however, that the device 10 may comprise a single insert 12,or more than two inserts, if desired. In a preferred embodiment, thebody unit 100 is made from a single blank 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.As will be described in more detail below, a particular embodiment ofthe outer body 100 has a front panel 34, a rear panel 16, and a seriesof additional panels that are adapted to be folded upon themselves toform a square or rectangle-shaped display base 54. The additional panelsmay be a bottom panel 24, a foot panel 26, and a platform panel 28 thatcollectively form the display base 54.

With reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the blank 14preferably comprises a rear panel 16 and a front panel 34. A side panel18 is foldably attached to each end of the rear panel 16 along a foldline 17. First tabs 20 and second tabs 22 are foldable attached to eachside panel along fold lines 19, 21. The first tab 20 may preferably belarger than the second tab 22, as shown in FIG. 2, if desired.

The rear panel 16 is foldably attached to a bottom panel 24 along a foldline 23. Two slots 42 are preferably located on the rear panel 16 in thecorners, adjacent the fold line 23 connecting the rear panel to thebottom panel. The bottom panel 24 is preferably foldably attached to afoot panel 26 along a fold line 25, opposite the side attached to therear panel 16. The foot panel 26 is preferably attached to a platformpanel 28 along a fold line 27, opposite the side attached to the bottompanel 24. A fold tab 30 is foldably attached to each side end of theplatform panel 28 along a fold line 29. The platform panel 28 isfoldably attached to a tuck panel 32 along a fold line 31, opposite theside attached to the platform panel. Two tabs 40 are preferably locatedalong the fold line 31 connecting the platform panel and the tuck panel,one at each end of the fold line. The tuck panel 32 has a free endopposite the side connected to the platform panel 28, which in the blankform is preferably adjacent to a front panel 34.

The front panel 34 is foldably connected to a top panel 36 along a foldline 35. The top panel 36 preferably comprises an opening 44 for productplacement as will be described below. The top panel 36 is preferablyfoldably connected to a glue panel 38 along a fold line 37, opposite theside connected to the front panel 34. A side panel 46 is connected toeach side end of the front panel 34 and the foot panel 26 along a foldline 45. Each side panel 46 is preferably foldably connected to asupport panel 48 along a fold line 47. Each support panel 48 ispreferably foldably connected to a base panel 50 along an angled foldline 49. The base panels are also preferably connected to the sidepanels 46 and the angled fold line 49 preferably extends across the foldline 47 connecting the side panels 46 to the support panels 48.

Once prepared and die cut, blank 14 is glued and then folded as shown inFIGS. 3A-3C. In a specific embodiment, the body 12 is preferably erectedby folding the rear panel 16 along the fold line 23 and the bottom panel24 along the fold line 25 as shown in FIG. 3A. The foot panel 26,platform panel 28, and tuck panel 32 are then folded upon themselves asshown in FIG. 3B. The tuck panel 32 is not shown in FIG. 3B because whenit is folded away from platform panel 28, tabs 40 are exposed andallowed to cooperate with slots 42 of rear panel, and tuck panel 32 istucked underneath platform panel 28 to form base 54. The exposed tabs 40preferably engage the slots 42 located on the rear panel 16. The slots42 are preferably positioned on the rear panel such that, when engagingthe tabs 40, the bottom panel 24 is rearwardly sloped causing the bodyunit to be rearwardly sloped. This allows device 10 to be displayed on acountertop and support itself.

Once base 54 has been formed, the top panel 36 is then folded along thefold line 35 and the glue panel 38 is folded along the fold line 37 sothat the glue panel can be adhered to the rear panel 16 using anadhesive. The opening 44 allows product to be inserted into body, onceinserts (described below) are in place.

One embodiment of insert 12 may also be formed from a blank, as shown inFIG. 4. The insert blank preferably comprises a glue panel 60 foldablyconnected to a divider panel 62 along a fold line 61. The divider panel62 is preferably foldably connected to a secondary front panel 64 alonga fold line 63. The secondary front panel 64 is foldably connected toanother divider panel 66 along a fold line 65. This second divider panel66 is foldably connected to a rear panel 68 along a fold line 67 locatedbetween the divider panel 66 and the rear panel 68. The rear panel 68 isfoldably connected to a side panel 70 along a fold line 69, opposite theside of the rear panel 68 connected to the divider panel 66. Side panel70 is foldably connected to the primary front panel 72 along a fold line71, opposite the side of the side panel 70 connected to the rear panel68. The primary front panel 72 is foldably connecter to a second sidepanel 74 along a fold line 73, opposite the side of the front panel 72connected to the first side panel 70. The second side panel 74 isfoldably connected to an end panel 76 along a fold line 75, opposite theside of the second side panel 74 connected to the primary front panel72. It should be understood that the front panels 64, 72 may preferablybe smaller than the remaining panels (or have indented openings 78) inorder to provider access to the product stored in the display device 10.The smaller size provides a chute-like opening in the assembled insert.

As shown in FIG. 5, inserts 12 may preferably be erected by placingadhesive on the glue panel 60 and folding along the fold line 65 so thatthe glue panel is adhered to the rear panel 68. In a preferredembodiment, glue panel 60 may be secured to rear panel 68 substantiallyin its middle area. Adhesive may then be placed on the front panel 72,again, preferably approximately at its mid-point. The blank is thenpreferably folded along the fold line 69, and the secondary front panel64 is adhered to the backside of the primary front panel 72. Adhesive isthen preferably placed on the end portion of the end panel 76 and theblank is folded along the fold line 73. The end panel 76 wraps aroundthe partially formed blank and is attached to the back of the rear panel68.

According to certain embodiments of the invention, when assembled anderected, the insert comprises three divided chutes for productplacement, as shown in the completed insert shown in FIG. 5. It shouldbe understood that the blank may be configured to provide fewer or morechutes 56 as desired, by providing fewer or more panels. The insert 12can be collapsed to a flat condition as desired for shipping andstorage.

An alternate embodiment of an insert 112 according to other embodimentsof the invention is shown in FIG. 6. This insert 112 forms chutes byproviding dividers 114. In a particular embodiment, each divider 114 isconnected to the blank 110 via a fold line 108 and a perforated portion106. Optional thumb grips 104 may be provided as a cut out portion onblank 110 to provide a space for a user to grasp the divider 114 toremove it from blank 110 along perforated portion 106. When theperforated portion 106 is separated from blank 110 and folded back alongfold line 108, divider 114 is folded out from blank 110 to form a seriesof chutes 56. Although shown as curved and somewhat trapezoidal,dividers 114 may be any shape and size that is useful to provide thedesired purposes. Typically, insert blank 110 is placed inside body 100before dividers 114 are activated for ease of shipping. Dividers 114 arethen extended to provide chutes prior to assembly and loading.

The inserts 12, 112 may preferably be placed inside the body unit 100 bypassing them through one of the side ends of the erected body unit. Onceplaced inside the body 100, the sides of the body 100 may be closed byfolding the side panels 18 along the fold lines 17 and inserting thetabs 20, 21 into the body, shown in FIG. 2. A piece of adhesive tape maybe placed on the exposed surface of the side panels 18. The supportpanels 48 and side panels 46 may be folded against and adhered to theside panels 18. It should be understood that other methods of adheringcan be used, such as an adhesive or a fastener. The base panels 50 arepreferably folded along the angled fold lines 49. Because of the angledfold line connecting the support panels and the base panel, the erecteddisplay unit will preferably tilt slightly backward. The display unitcan therefore be assembled and placed on a surface, supported by thesupport panels and base panels. According to certain embodiments, thedisplay provides four bearing surfaces which increases stability of thedisplay.

Graphical display indicia may be printed on the external surfaces of thedisplay unit as desired. For example, graphical display indicia, such asadvertisements for the displayed product may be printed on the frontpanel 34, the foot panel 26, and the support panels 48 and the sidepanels 46 of body 100.

The display unit according to certain embodiments of the invention maybe shipped in a flat, unassembled configuration and meets virtually allcurrent retail establishment specifications. It may be desirable topre-glue the body unit and the inserts, thus requiring minimal effort toset up the display at the retail establishment. By shipping the displayin a flat, unassembled configuration, approximately 50% more displayunits may be shipped per shipping truck as compared to otherconventional display units. This also reduces the amount of storagespace occupied at the retail establishment. By providing fewer parts,the display according to certain embodiments of the invention is easierto assemble. In addition, the preferable choice of environmentallyfriendly materials allows for easier disposal of the display.

Once the display is assembled, product can be placed in each chute 56through the opening 44 located in the top panel 36 of body 100. Multipleunits of a product may be placed in each chute 56, stacked one on top ofanother. The product preferably rests on the platform panel 28 andagainst the rear panel 16 (or against the back of chutes, if sodesigned). The bottom-most product is visible and may be removed fromthe platform panel or base 54 of the display 10 by a consumer. Thisallows the remaining product to be moved downward due to gravitationalforces and the removed product to be automatically replaced by a newproduct until there is no more product located in the chute.

An additional optional feature of the invention is an anti-swipingdevice 192, shown in FIG. 1. This device 192 may be provided in the formof a shield 192 of plastic tape that is adhered to the inside of theblank used to form body 100 prior to its assembly. It is also possibleto adhere anti-sweeping device 192 to body 100 once it has been formed.

An additional optional feature is to provide elastic members 93 to causeside panels to open automatically for the body 100. According to certainembodiments, the display unit may further comprise elastic members 93 asshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, allowing the side panels to open automaticallywhen erecting the display unit. The support panels 48 may preferablycomprise a fold line 94 extending vertically along the support panelsand creating a hinge panel 96. The hinge panel may preferably be adheredto the rear panel 16 using an adhesive tape or any other type ofadhesive. The support panels are preferably opened when folded outward,away from the rear panel 16, along the fold line 94. The support panelsare thus approximately perpendicular to the rear panel and support thedisplay device when open, creating a stand or support for the displaydevice.

One end of each elastic member, such as a bando device, rubber band, orother similar elastic device, is preferably attached to the bottom outerportion of each support panel 48. The opposite end of each elasticmember is preferably attached to the bottom portion of each respectivehinge panel 96.

According to certain embodiments, the elastic member may be a bandodevice. The bando device may be attached to the support panels and thehinge panels by passing through small holes in the appropriate locationof each panel.

The elastic members may preferably allow the support panels 48 of thedisplay device to open automatically to the erected position, as shownin FIG. 7B. The elastic member is preferably in a neutral (minimaltensile) position when the support panels are opened or approximatelyperpendicular to the rear panel 16. The display unit is preferablyshipped in a flat configuration as described above. This is done byfolding the support panels down so that they are adjacent to the rearpanel 16, causing the elastic members to stretch, as shown in FIG. 7A.When the display unit is removed from the shipping container, theelastic members will preferably cause the support panels to openautomatically (or “pop” open) along the fold line 94. The support panelspreferably open to a position approximately perpendicular to the rearpanel because the elastic members are preferably in a minimal tensileposition. This allows the user to erect the display with minimal effort.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the display device neednot be a gravity feed display, but may be a pegged display, one exampleof which is shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, body 100 does notnecessarily have to have a series panels that are folded upon oneanother to form a base 54 for product to rest on as it is inserted intochutes, although that is type of body could be used. A pegged displaymay comprise display hooks for displaying product. Hooks may be includedon the body 100 or there may be a separate panel provided with suchhooks, as example of which is shown in FIG. 8. A front panel comprisingholes may be adhered to the front surface of the display using anadhesive tape, an adhesive or other adhesive means. Peg hooks may beinserted into the holes. Each display device may support multiple peghooks as desired. Product may be hung from the peg hooks for display,allowing complete product visibility. A product pouch may be clipped tothe front panel if desired to further hold the product if desired. Itshould be understood that the product pouch may be attached to thedisplay in many ways including adhesive tape, adhesives, clips, hook andloop fasteners and others.

Additionally, certain embodiments of the display unit 10 comprise anangled flat front surface. This may be provided by the bottom of thebase 54 being angled so that the device 10 leans back and supportsitself.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a display device comprisinga support panel or grid 115, as shown in FIG. 8. The support grid 115may preferably be a rectangular plastic (talc filled copolymer) grid,but can be made from different materials and in different shapes ifdesired. For example, a paper or paperboard grid may be used. In certainembodiments, a face panel 120, such as that shown in FIG. 9, may beattached to the grid when assembling the display. The face panel maypreferably be of the same height and width as the grid. According tocertain embodiments, the face panel may have several openings 122located across the face panel. The openings 122 may preferably be largerthan the openings of the support grid 115. The face panel may alsopreferably comprise several holes 126, one located in approximately eachcorner of the face panel.

Peg hooks may be attached to the grid 115 thorough the openings 122. Thepeg hooks preferably snap into the support grid 115. Multiple peg hooksmay be attached to the face panel and spaced apart as desired. A productpouch may be attached to the face panel and grid, preferably below eachpeg hook, if desired. The product pouch may have be clipped to the gridand face panel using Christmas tree clips, other types of clips,adhesive tape, adhesives, or other fastening means.

The display 10 may be assembled by placing the face panel 120 shown inFIG. 9 on the support grid 115 of FIG. 8. The support grid could beattached to a body or it could be a stand-alone unit. The face panel maybe affixed to the grid using clips or by other manners such as anadhesive tape or an adhesive. According to certain embodiments,Christmas tree clips may be placed through the holes 126 located in thecorners of the face panel. The Christmas tree clips preferably passthrough the holes and through the grid, attaching the face panel to thegrid. An example of such a completed assembly is shown in FIG. 10.

If desired, support legs may be attached to the grid, allowing thedisplay to stand according to certain embodiments of the invention. Thiscould be in addition to or instead of the option of providing an angledbase 54, as described above. In one embodiment, the support legs maypreferably comprise a blank 130 as shown in FIG. 11. According tocertain embodiments, two support legs may be made from a single blank,although only one or more than two legs may also be provided from asingle blank. The blank 130 may preferably have a scored line formingtwo symmetrical halves of the blank. The scored line can be folded andthe two halves separated, forming two support legs.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the blank 130 comprises a first bodypanel 136 and a second body panel 138 separated by a fold line 137. Theblank 130 preferably comprises attachment holes 134 located inapproximately the outer corners of the first body panel 136 and thesecond body panel 138. The blank may preferably be folded along the foldline 137 and the first body panel attached to the second body panel,such as by an adhesive. This may provide additional strength to thesupport legs for supporting the display. The attachment holes 134 willpreferably be aligned when the first body panel is attached to thesecond body panel.

Each support leg may be attached to the grid by placing the attachmentholes over the exposed ends of the Christmas tree clips, on the backside of the grid, opposite the face panel. It should be understood thatthe support legs may be attached to the grid in any suitable mannerusing clips, adhesives, adhesive tapes, or other fastening devices ifdesired. The support legs may be folded along a fold line 140, causingthe support legs to extend away from the grid. Base panels 144 may befolded along diagonal fold line 143, forming a base for the supportlegs. The base panels 144 preferably provide four bearing surfaces forsupporting the assembled display device.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, other features may be included without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A gravity feed display device, comprising: (a) an insert having aseries of panels that are adapted to be folded and glued upon oneanother to form one or more chutes; (b) an outer body having a frontpanel, a rear panel, and a series of additional panels comprising abottom panel, a foot panel, and a platform panel that are adapted to befolded upon themselves to collectively form a display base.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the series of additional panelsfurther comprises a tuck panel adapted to be tucked under the displaybase for support.
 3. The display device of claim 2, wherein the tuckpanel comprises tabs.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein one ofthe front panel and the rear panel comprises one or more slots forreceiving one or more tabs from one of the series of additional panels.5. The display device of claim 1, further comprising one or more supportpanels that allow the display device to support itself.
 6. The displaydevice of claim 5, wherein the one or more support panels cooperate withthe outer body via one or more elastic members.
 7. The display device ofclaim 1, further comprising an anti-sweeping device.
 8. The displaydevice of claim 7, wherein the anti-sweeping device comprises a plasticshield on or near the front panel.
 9. The display device of claim 1,wherein the insert comprises an end panel, a primary front panel, a rearpanel, and a secondary front panel, each attached to one another by aseries of smaller panels.
 10. The display device of claim 9, wherein thesmaller panels comprise side panels and divider panels.
 11. The displayof claim 9, wherein one or more of the primary front panel and thesecondary front panel have a smaller size to provide a chute-likeopening in the assembled insert.
 12. The display device of claim 1,wherein the insert comprises a blank with dividers attached to the blankby a fold line and a perforated portion.
 13. The display device of claim12, wherein the dividers are activated by separating the perforatedportion and folding the dividers out along the fold line.
 14. Thedisplay device of claim 12, wherein the blank further comprises thumbgrips to ease removal of the dividers at the perforated portion.
 15. Amethod for forming an insert to provide gravity feed chutes, comprising:(a) providing an insert blank having a glue panel, a divider panel, asecondary front panel, a second divider panel, a rear panel, a sidepanel, a primary front panel, a second side panel, and an end panel, (b)folding and gluing the glue panel to the rear panel, (c) folding andgluing the secondary front panel to the primary front panel, (d) foldingand gluing the end panel to the rear panel.
 16. A display device,comprising: (a) a support grid, (b) a face panel attached to the supportgrid, the face panel having one or more openings, (c) one or more pegdisplay hooks attached to the support grid through the one or moreopenings in the face panel, and (d) one or more support legs attached tothe display.
 17. The display of claim 16, further comprising a productpouch attached to the display.
 18. The display of claim 17, wherein theproduct pouch is attached by one or more of adhesive tape, adhesives,clips, and hook and loop fasteners.
 19. The display of claim 16, whereinthe display body comprises an angled flat front surface.